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A Daughter’s Tribute- Joan Lykins Parr

by on ‎05-13-2016 02:21 PM

valerie.jpg

 

I want to thank my QVC family for the out-pouring of love that Will, our boys and I have felt this past week.  Your kind words and prayers have been such a comfort to us.  It is still hard to believe that Mother is gone.  She was a constant source of love and encouragement.  Her marvelous sense of style, impeccable taste and art for graceful living will continue to inspire us.

 

At her “home-going” service we celebrated her life lived-well for Christ. She had made a note about the hymns to be sung at her celebration.  She requested: Wonderful Grace of Jesus and Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It.  Both are beautiful hymns that speak to the assurance of eternal rest.

 

All three of her children participated in the service.  My brother Gene gave her eulogy and my brother Jeff offered the closing prayer.  I chose to read selected verses from Proverbs 31 in the Old Testament, followed by some reflections about Mother that I’d like to share with you:

 

Who can find a virtuous woman and capable wife?  

She is more precious than rubies.  

Her husband can trust her, 

and she will greatly enrich his life.  

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

 

She is clothed with strength and dignity, 

and she laughs without fear of the future.  

When she speaks, her words are wise 

and she gives instructions with kindness.  

She carefully watches everything in her household 

and suffers nothing from laziness.

 

Her children stand and bless her, 

her husband praises her: 

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, 

but you surpass them all!”

 

Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last; 

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 

                                                        Proverbs 31: verses 10-12 and 25-30


Mother was truly a Proverbs 31 woman.  And you’re here today because you knew her and loved her.  We’re all the beneficiaries of her wonderful example of a devoted wife, loving mother, doting grand and great-grandmother and dear friend. 

 

This week I came across one of Mother’s Bible Journals and several notes she had made on Proverbs 31.  Here is what she wrote:

 

            ~ God does not mention the face or physical form of the woman described in Proverbs 31, because God sees only our heart.

 

            ~ A successful Mother is one who cherishes her children, for that is where she will leave her fingerprints on the sands of time.

 

            ~ And finally Mother wrote, America’s future is secure when mothers teach their children Truth, Honesty, Industry and most importantly to Love God.

 

Mother’s “love language" was hospitality and God blessed her with that gift in abundance!  She was happiest when you were pulled up to her table enjoying a meal she had thoughtfully and lovingly prepared.  And after her meal had satisfied your physical hunger, it wouldn’t be long before the conversation would turn to spiritual things.  She wanted to be sure that you knew her Lord Jesus.  Whether family or friend, it made no difference, her focus on Jesus was so complete because she wanted to be sure that all of her family and all of her friends would join her in eternity.

 

Today, Mother would want you to know that last Tuesday afternoon, Heaven’s gates opened wide and Jesus welcomed her saying, “Joan, I know you, you are one of my own, not because of all the wonderful things you’ve done, but simply because you put your faith and trust in me.” 

 

Even though our sense of loss is so great, our comfort is knowing that we will join her in heaven one day.  And what a joyful reunion that will be! 

 

May you be blessed by the testimony of her life,

Valerie